Clinical Professional Development Specialist

Clinical Professional Development SpecialistUPMC Altoona is seeking a Clinical Professional Development Specialist to support excellence in patient care through high-quality clinical education. This role is ideal for a clinician who is passionate about teaching, mentoring, and supporting frontline staff while promoting the UPMC Patient Experience. This role will provide immediate, at the elbow support, for educating staff on Med/Surg and Behavioral Health Units.Candidate will be hired into the appropriate job title (Clinical Professional Development Specialist or Senior Clinical Professional Development Specialist) & salary grade based on experience and educationPosition OverviewThe Clinical Professional Development Specialist is responsible for the delivery of orientation and ongoing clinical education for assigned clinical areas.

This role ensures staff have the knowledge, skills, and support needed to provide safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. Working closely with frontline teams, this position serves as both educator and mentor, supporting professional growth and continuous improvement.Key ResponsibilitiesClinical Education & OnboardingLead unit-based onboarding and orientation for new clinical staffProvide ongoing education to support patient assessment, care planning, implementation, evaluation, teaching, and discharge planningIdentify learning needs and design education strategies that support quality outcomes and patient experienceDeliver education across various formats and schedules, including non-traditional hours as neededStaff Support, Coaching & MentorshipServe as a formal and informal mentor to new clinical staff and preceptorsBuild strong working relationships through positive communication, coaching, and collaborationDevelop and deliver professional coaching and feedback aligned with UPMC Experience initiatives (e.g., Bedside Shift Report, Hourly Rounding, AIDET)Clinical Resource & CollaborationAct as a clinical resource and consultant for nursing staff, interdisciplinary teams, patients, and families within areas of specialtySupport patient education initiatives by ensuring frontline staff are well-prepared to meet patient learning needsCommunicate effectively with diverse audiences, ensuring clarity, engagement, and knowledge retentionQuality Improvement & Professional EngagementParticipate in department-based performance improvement initiativesEngage in professional and community organizations to support ongoing development and best practicesPerform in accordance with system-wide competencies and organizational behaviorsWhy Join UPMC Altoona?At UPMC Altoona, education is a cornerstone of clinical excellence. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on patient care, support staff success, and grow within a nationally recognized health system committed to quality, teamwork, and innovation.Clinical Professional Development Specialist Qualifications:Bachelor's degree required (BSN preferred); Master's degree preferredMinimum of 2 years of clinical experience requiredMed/Surg and Behavioral Health experience is preferredRelevant teaching experience preferredSenior Clinical Professional Development Qualifications:MSN or Master's degree requiredMinimum of 3 years of clinical experience requiredMed/Surg and Behavioral Health experience is preferred2 years of teaching experience requiredLicensure, Certifications, and Clearances:CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire UPMC approved certification preferredBasic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)Registered Nurse (RN)Act 33 with renewalAct 34 with renewalAct 73 FBI Clearance with renewalUPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran